Keeping Your Smile Bright & Healthy In Elkhart, Millersburg, Crossroads, Keystone, & Bremen, IN

Dental bonding is a procedure to improve the appearance of your smile. We use a high-intensity curing light to apply a tooth-colored resin, made of a combination of glass and plastic, to the teeth. This can be used to fill in gaps, chips, and cracks as well as cover up discoloration. Bonding can usually be completed in just one visit. With proper oral hygiene, a bonding treatment can last anywhere from three to 10 years.

A crown is a treatment completed on a tooth that is decayed, discolored or broken. It helps restore the tooth’s strength and functionality. The crown is a tooth-colored, porcelain cap that is placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage. This procedure typically takes about two visits. The tooth will be shaped and prepared to fit inside of the crown during the first visit, and you will receive a temporary crown. On the second visit, you will receive your custom-created crown.

A bridge is a device used to fill in a gap in between teeth. Crowns are placed on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to support a third crown placed into the gap.

It is important to take care of your crown or bridge with proper at-home care.

Fillings are used to fill in holes in the tooth that are caused by decay and cavities. They protect the tooth from further damage and restore its strength. We can create fillings out of the most natural-looking, tooth-colored material. Our tooth-colored options include a composite (plastic and glass), porcelain, or a glass ionomer (glass and acrylic). Composite fillings are the most popular choice for their subtlety and strength.

Oral cancer often is not detected until it is too late. That is why it is so essential to see the dentist regularly for an oral cancer screening. At Springer Dental Care, we include a screening in your routine teeth cleaning appointments. We check for any sores or discolorations along the tongue, lips, and gums. Many of these are harmless, but if we detect anything suspicious, we will take a tissue sample to have it tested.

Porcelain veneers are thin yet very durable tooth-colored shells that are bonded to the front of existing teeth. Veneers are used to improve the appearance of the teeth. They can extend a tooth that is too short, cover up chips and cracks, fill in gaps, or give the tooth a whiter look. We will work with you to determine what you would like to fix in your smile and then help you decide if veneers are a good treatment option for you.

It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least twice a year for regular hygiene appointments. This is essential even if you are brushing twice a day and flossing daily because, at hygiene appointments, we will check for signs of decay, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. These dental problems are most treatable when detected early. Plus, we use special tools to remove plaque and bacteria, cleaning your teeth more thoroughly than can be done at home.

When a tooth is severely decayed or infected, a root canal is performed to save it from needing extraction. Root canals effectively remove the pain that comes from a decayed or infected tooth. During the procedure, we will remove the dead, infected pulp from inside the tooth and then disinfect the inner tooth. After, we will use a cement to seal the tooth, protecting it from bacteria. We may also provide a crown to restore the tooth to its former strength.

Dental sealants are a great option for children to protect vulnerable teeth from decay. Typically these are the back teeth, which are often neglected during brushing. Sealants are made of plastic resin that is placed in the tooth to smooth out the grooves, making them easier to clean. This procedure can help minimize the risk of decay starting in those vulnerable areas.

TMD stands for Temporomandibular disorder, which is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. TMD is characterized by jaw clicking, popping, pain, and discomfort, as well as limited ability to open the jaw. If you are experiencing these symptoms, we can help you determine the source of the pain and work to fix it. Over-the-counter pain medications, as well as applying ice and heat, can be helpful in relieving pain. We also work with local specialists to ensure you receive the best care available.

When a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond repair, an extraction is the best option. In addition, wisdom teeth generally have to be removed because they are impacted or stuck in the gums or they are coming in at an angle that threatens the other teeth. We provide local anesthesia to make this process as painless and comfortable as possible. If you are particularly anxious, we can provide oral conscious sedation or laughing gas.
After the extraction, we can discuss tooth replacement options, which include implants, bridges, and partial dentures.

Sedation dentistry is a safe, effective method used to keep patients comfortable and relaxed during dental treatments. Before giving you a sedative, we will ask you to fill out a health history form to determine which methods are safe to use.

Sedation Options

Oral sedation includes anti-anxiety medications in the form of a pill that is swallowed or dissolved under the tongue.
Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as “laughing gas,” is gas that you breathe to help you relax. It is a sedation technique that has been used for many years because of how safe it is – and it does not produce any side effects after wearing off.
IV treatment involves injecting medication into the bloodstream for quick relaxation and deep sleep. The amount administered can be controlled, and when given an IV, you won’t remember your procedure, which is great news for especially nervous patients. We can help you decide if IV is the right sedation option for you.